Really depends on the bodies of water that you're fishing as well. If you only fish smaller bodies of water where it never gets too rough then a 42" is fine but if where you're fishing gets rough a 48-52" would be better!
The best tip I got to get the pump to work effortlessly is to put the oil container in hot water for 15 minutes before putting the pump on it. I always had a hard time before with the pump coming apart. Because of the thick oil. Much easier now and no mess.
Brian, those chunks look pretty pale in the photos. I would have thought they would be darker? How was the texture? Was it kind of "damp" like not nicely moist but like under-cooker lake trout "damp." I am thinking maybe more time in the smoker (without chips smoking) might improve your results?
Doug
Not everyone can identify fish accurately from a distance. When we purchased our waterfront home 5 years ago we were down at the dock talking to the people that sold us the home. The woman knew I was a Fisherman and said "I've seen big trout swim by the dock".
This is on Upper Buckhorn lake.
Enough said.
What is the distance from the bow to the water on your boat?
Different styles of boats have different heights off the water.
I would say to go with that length plus 18-24 inches.
I know if I'm in water that would make my prop break the surface with that much shaft in the water I'd be looking elsewhere to fish.
I have an 18' aluminium bass type boat that the original TM was 42" I think.
I got a stupid good deal on my replacement unit that has a 60" shaft which is way more than needed.
It came off a 19 foot Lund Pro-V which is much higher off the water but the price could not be ignored.